After the age of 40 we must pay more attention to the signals that our body sends us. In fact, it is from that moment on that various degenerative diseases can appear. As such, identifying them as early as possible can mean the difference between rapid recovery and increasingly serious complications. With this in mind, today we will talk about a very specific disease, rheumatoid arthritis. So let’s get ready, these are the first symptoms of arthritis that affect women after 40.
What is rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease. This means that it can use our immune systems against us. In fact, this disease uses it to damage the synovial membrane, that is the inner lining of the cartilage. Cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones in our joints. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis damages the joints and, if we do not intervene promptly, it can even damage bones, tendons and ligaments. The researchers identified a very short window of opportunity. That is, we have three months from the onset of the first symptoms to bring the disease into a submissive phase. Hence, it is especially important to know what rheumatoid arthritis symptoms actually are and how to act accordingly.
These are the first symptoms of arthritis that affect women after 40
After what has been explained above, it will not be a surprise to know which are the areas of the body where we will experience the first symptoms. It is in fact the joints. These can cause pain or discomfort, swell and become hot and red. Generally, the joints involved are the smallest ones, i.e. those of the hands and feet. Arthritis is also a symmetrical disease, which means that the pains occur simultaneously in the same joints on both sides of the body. Sometimes these symptoms can be accompanied by more generic ones. For example, we may have a fever, feel tired, have muscle aches or even lose weight. If these pains occur in multiple joints for several weeks it is very likely that it is rheumatoid arthritis.
What to do if we suspect we have arthritis
The first thing to do is certainly contact our doctor. He will be the one to prescribe the necessary tests. Generally, we should have blood tests first and then perhaps radiological tests. The doctor will also know how to prescribe the right medications to treat the symptoms.
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